Srikrishna committee recommendations are very important for mains. The whole debate around data privacy, rights of government vs rights of citizen, critique of data regulation proposals will don the editorial columns in the next few days. This question will assist you in preparing the details of the committee’s recommendations and examining it.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to discuss the overall rationale of the recommendations, quote them and then analyze how far do they help in addressing the privacy concerns of citizens. At the end, a fair and balanced opinion on the recommendations of the committee is to be provided along with suggestions going forward.

Directive word

Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. You need to conclude with a fair judgement, after analyzing the nature of each component part and interrelationship between them.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Discuss the background to the formation of this committee, the necessity of bringing in data regulation post the Puttaswamy judgment of SC. In this context, mention that we need to examine the recommendations.

Body

Mention the overall principles espoused by the committee, the model of user consent by which they seek to protect data (data principle and data fiduciaries), and discuss how their recommendations fits into that scheme of things.

Analyze how the draft Bill puts in place a data protection and regulation mechanism and how effective they would be. Compare and contrast the proposals with General Data protection regulations, which can be considered as world leading standards currently.

Examine whether the proposals fall short of providing full control over personal data to citizens especially when pitted against the government.

Conclusion – Give a fair and balanced view and suggestions which in your opinion will benefit by incorporating them in draft Bill.

The conclusion of 10th BRICS Summit and Johannesburg Declaration provide an opportunity to discuss the progress of BRICS as a grouping of unlikely partners. The summit has gained relevance in light of the geopolitical battle lines that have been drawn, the questions raised against free and fair trade and other such issues which presents an opportunity for BRICS to underline its influence and achieve the initial goals that it had set out to achieve.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to give a brief explanation of BRICS as a grouping of motley countries, the objectives it had set out to achieve, the achievements it has had so far, and the miles still to cover. We need to highlight the declarations made in Johannesburg Declaration and examine how they work to further the BRICS agenda. Our view on the importance and progress of BRICS is to be mentioned in conclusion.

Directive word

Comment – The directive ‘comment’ is usually followed by a statement made by some famous personality, or taken out from a famous book. When you are asked to comment, you have to pick main points and give your ‘opinion’ on them based on evidences or arguments stemming from your wide reading.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Give a brief introduction of BRICS including the objectives it had set out to achieve.

Body

In the beginning itself discuss the goals of BRICS – highlight that the formation of BRICS was largely driven by Geo economic agenda and less by geopolitical motives.

Examine the achievements of BRICS such as NDB, continuous growth in partnership and despite the storm encountered last year in the form of Doklam crisis and aftermath. Discuss that various Ministerial meetings take place throughout the year and the economic agenda that has been advanced so far. Highlight the main points of Johannesburg Declaration and mention how is it taking BRICS forward

Discuss that off late geopolitics has been an important factor in BRICS due to the presence of divergent geopolitical interests, the inability of India to get BRICS countries to openly support its fight against terrorism etc. Examine whether these factors are preventing BRICS from reaching its potential

Conclusion – Give your view on relevance of BRICS and discuss way forward.

Topic– Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

India was recently given the STA-1 status to India, which elevates India to the status of NATO allies in terms of the scope in trade and defense and technology cooperation between India and US. This will have huge implications for India and thus needs to be discussed.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to write in detail about the STA-1 status accorded to India by the US. It wants us to express our opinion on whether this will ensure a greater supply chain efficiency, both for defence, and for other high-tech products.

Directive word

Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer

Introduction– Write a few lines about the trade volume between India and US and mention that STA-1 status recently given to India reflects India’s status as a major defence partner and elevates India’s status as a trading partner to equal that US has accorded largely to its Nato allies.

Body-

Discuss the implications for India in terms of how supply chain efficiency for defence and other high tech products will be affected. E.g it will reduce the number of licences needed for US exports to India, means India can get easy access to the latest defence technologies; could also mean a leg-up for the foundational COMCASA agreement; Communications,which is one of the three agreements that the US has with its closest military allies, and will allow the installation of high-security US communication equipment on defence equipment being sold to India, thereby facilitating interoperability etc.

Conclusion– Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the issue.

TOPIC: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability

The article very lucidly explains the amendments carried out in PoCA, the impact of those amendments and how it would affect the fight against corruption, issues which are of immense importance from the point of view of mains.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to discuss the amendments and examine how they do a balancing act between the two imperatives mentioned in the question. We need to discuss whether the amendments would strengthen the fight against corruption, examine whether the waiver of certain procedural requirements would embolden the public servants etc. A fair and balanced view on this debate is to be mentioned in your conclusion.

Directive word

Critically examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Highlight how we stand in our fight against corruption. Mention that several important amendments have been proposed in PoCA which merit closer examination.

Body

Discuss the amendments proposed – mandates prior government approval of the Central or State government to initiate investigation into corruption charges, deletion of the whole of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of Section 13, which defines ‘criminal misconduct’, certain dilution of the definition of ‘known sources of income’, widens the definition of criminal misconduct to include the bribe giver, stipulation for a day-to-day trial and completion of court proceedings within two years.

Discuss the pros and cons of each of these proposed changes

Highlight the changes required in your opinion

Discuss in light of recommendation of 2nd ARC Reports

Conclusion – Give a fair and balanced view on the proposed changes wrt fight against corruption and the way forward.

Topic– Part of static series under the heading – “Election Commission of India – organization, structure and functioning”

The question is quite straightforward in its demand. While answering the second part, relevant court judgements and the established view on this matter should be mentioned. In the third part, our view should be based on suggestions made by experts in the past.

Directive word

Discuss – the composition and manner of appointment of EC and its members needs to be mentioned.

Examine – The established view and the lead-up to that view needs to be brought out.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – mention the composition and manner of appointment of EC and its members.

Body

Discuss how the position of SC changed from SS Dhanoa case 1991 to TN Sheehan Case 1995. Mention that the CEC cannot over-ride any decision of the commission by himself. As Chairman of the Election Commission he presides over the meetings, conducts the business of the day and ensures smooth transaction of business of the commission.

Highlight that SC last year had directed the government to formalize the appointment process of election commissioners. Discuss why this is needed and the nature of reforms needed.

Conclusion – Discuss the relevance of ECI for democracy in India , mention that ECI off late has been caught in certain debates over its independence which is of grave threat, hence establishing the need for reforms.

General Studies – 3

Topic-Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

India is the world’s largest importer of defence products and it is very important for us to develop indigenous manufacturing capacities in the sector, in order to give a boost to make in India, seek strategic independence and create employment opportunities. Recent the DAC has approved the SP policy in defence manufacturing in this direction, which needs to be discussed upon.

Key demand of the question.

The question wants us to write in detail about the newly introduced SP policy in defense production and discuss how it aims to revitalise defence industrial ecosystem and progressively build indigenous capabilities in the private sector. What is the strategy envisaged.

Directive word

Discuss- This s an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. We also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – write a few lines about India’s defense imports, present some related statistics and mention about the recent SP policy released by DAC.

Body-

Discuss the aim of the policy. E.g the SP model aims to create a vibrant defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country through joint ventures between Indian corporates and global defence majors; the government is looking at achieving a turnover of Rs 1,70,000 crore in military goods and services by 2025 and the SP model is envisaged to capitalise this opportunity and contribute to make in India programme.

Discuss how the policy wants to achieve those aims.E.g all procurements under the SP Model would be executed by specially constituted Empowered Project Committees (EPC) to provide focussed attention and ensure timely execution; specified norms for carrying out various sector specific manufacturing projects; lay emphasis on incentivisation of transfer of niche technology and ensure higher indigenous content in military platforms to be produced in India etc.

Conclusion– Briefly discuss what more needs to be done in this regard and present a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.

Same as mentioned in syllabus- This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society.

Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects.

Structure of the answer

The question involves both legal as well as ethical issues. The legal aspect will be determined by the level of involvement of Mrs Sandy Tyson- how she managed to influence the award. She may have thereby violated any law,statute , code of conduct which would necessitate legal action against her. The ethical aspect involved is that of the conflict of interest and also misuse of the office.

After discussing the issues in detail, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the issue. Be considerate to all the the key facts of the case and form an opinion accordingly.

NOTE:

We are giving hints for each question. Please use your creativity and originality to come up with answers that are unique to you. But do so without deviating from core demand of each question. Ultimately you should use your reason and judgement to write your own answer.